1954 San Francisco 49ers season explained

Team:San Francisco 49ers
Year:1954
Record:7–4–1
Division Place:3rd NFL Western
Owner:Tony Morabito
General Manager:Louis Spadia
Coach:Buck Shaw
Stadium:Kezar Stadium
Playoffs:Did not qualify
Shortnavlink:49ers seasons

The 1954 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 5th season in the National Football League and their 9th overall. The team was coming off a 9–3 record in 1953, finishing one game behind the Detroit Lions for a spot in the championship game.

The 49ers got off to a strong start, beginning the season with a 4–0–1 record, as they were trying to finish on top of the conference for the first time in team history. The Niners lost their next 2 games against the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Rams by close scores, but they still found themselves in the playoff race as no team was running away with the conference. The 4–2–1 Niners had a huge game against the 5–1–0 Detroit Lions, which was a must-win game for San Francisco. But the Lions had other ideas, demolishing the 49ers 48–7, leaving them with a 4–3–1 record. San Francisco finished the season with 3 wins in their final 4 games, ending up in 3rd place with a 7–4–1 record.

Offensively, Y. A. Tittle had another strong season, throwing for 2,205 yards and 9 touchdowns, while completing 57.6% of his passes. Billy Wilson led the club with 60 receptions and 830 yards and 5 touchdowns. San Francisco's ground attack was overwhelming. Joe Perry rushed for an NFL-high 1,049 yards, and John Johnson rushed for 681 yards (2nd highest total in the NFL) and a team-high 9 touchdowns. Hugh McElhenny led the team with 8.0 yards per carry until he separated his shoulder on October 31 against the Chicago Bears.

Joe Perry (FB), Bruno Banducci (G) and Leo Nomellini (DT) made the Associated Press All-Pro team. Hugh McElhenny (HB), Billy Wilson (E), and Bob St. Clair (T) made the second squad.

Offseason

NFL draft

See main article: 1954 NFL draft.

[1]

Schedule

WeekDateOpponentResultRecordVenueAttendanceRecap
1 September 26 W 41–71–0Kezar Stadium32,085Recap
2 October 3at Los Angeles RamsT 24–24 1–0–1 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum79,208Recap
3October 10at Green Bay PackersW 23–172–0–1Milwaukee County Stadium15,571Recap
4October 17at Chicago BearsW 31–243–0–142,935Recap
5 October 24 Detroit LionsW 37–31 4–0–1Kezar Stadium58,891Recap
6 October 31 Chicago BearsL 27–314–1–1Kezar Stadium 49,833Recap
7November 7 Los Angeles RamsL 34–424–2–1 Kezar Stadium 58,758Recap
8November 14at Detroit LionsL 7–484–3–1Briggs Stadium58,431Recap
9W 31–35–3–1Forbes Field37,001Recap
10November 28at Baltimore ColtsL 13–175–4–1Memorial Stadium23,875Recap
11December 5Green Bay PackersW 35–06–4–1Kezar Stadium32,012Recap
12Baltimore ColtsW 10–77–4–1Kezar Stadium25,456Recap
Note: Intra-conference opponents are in bold text.

Standings

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1954 San Francisco 49ers Draftees. Pro Football Reference. February 20, 2024.